This list includes 24 Russian boy names that start with Y, from “Yakim” to “Yuri”. Many derive from Old Church Slavonic or Greek and remain common across Russia and neighboring regions.
Russian boy names that start with Y are masculine given names beginning with the letter Y used in Russian-speaking communities. Several are linked to Orthodox saints or biblical roots, making them traditional choices for baptism.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Cyrillic, Pronunciation, Meaning/Origin, and Notes.
Name: The Latin-alphabet form used in English; you use this entry when browsing, saving, or sharing name ideas.
Cyrillic: The original Russian spelling in Cyrillic so you can recognize the name in records and local contexts.
Pronunciation: A simple respelling with optional IPA gives you a clear guide to pronounce the name correctly.
Meaning/Origin: A concise one-line explanation of the name’s origin or meaning to help you assess cultural fit and significance.
Notes: Brief usage details, diminutives, or saint associations you may find helpful when choosing or researching the name.
Russian boy names that start with Y
| Name | Cyrillic | Pronunciation | Meaning/Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakov | Яков | YAH-kov (/ˈjakəf/) | From Hebrew Jacob; “supplanter” |
| Yakim | Яким | ya-KEEM (/jaˈkim/) | From Joachim (Hebrew/Greek), “God will establish” |
| Yan | Ян | YAN (/jan/) | Slavic form of Jan/John; “God is gracious” |
| Yaroslav | Ярослав | ya-ro-SLAV (/jɐˈroslaf/) | From Slavic “yar” (fierce) + “slava” (glory) |
| Yaropolk | Ярополк | YA-ro-polk (/ˈjaropolk/) | yar (fierce) + “polk” (people/army) |
| Yaromir | Яромир | YA-ro-meer (/ˈjaromir/) | yar (fierce) + “mir” (peace/world) |
| Yarovit | Яровит | YA-ro-vit (/ˈjarovit/) | Theonymic: “yar” (fierce) + “-vit” (lord) |
| Yegor | Егор | YE-gor (/ˈjɛɡər/) | Russian form of George; “farmer/earthworker” |
| Yevgeny | Евгений | yev-GEH-nee (/jɪvˈɡenʲɪj/) | From Greek Eugenios, “well-born” |
| Yefim | Ефим | yeh-FEEM (/jɪˈfim/) | From Greek Euphemios, “well-spoken” |
| Yefrem | Ефрем | yeh-FREM (/jɪˈfrɛm/) | From Hebrew Ephraim, “fruitful” |
| Yeremey | Еремей | yeh-reh-MEY (/jɪrɪˈmɛj/) | Russian form of Jeremiah, “appointed by God” |
| Yerofey | Ерофей | yeh-ROH-fey (/jɪrɐˈfʲej/) | From Greek Hierotheos, “sacred to God” |
| Yevdokim | Евдоким | yev-DOH-kim (/jɪvˈdokʲim/) | From Greek Eudokimos, “of good repute” |
| Yevstafiy | Евстафий | yev-STAH-fee (/jɪvˈstafʲij/) | From Greek Eustathios, “steadfast” |
| Yevsey | Евсей | yev-SEY (/jɪvˈsʲej/) | From Greek Eusebios/Eusebius, “pious” |
| Yelisey | Елисей | yeh-li-SEY (/jɪlʲɪˈsʲej/) | From Hebrew/Greek Elisha, “God is salvation” |
| Yason | Ясон | YA-son (/ˈjɑson/) | From Greek Jason, “healer” |
| Yuliy | Юлий | YOO-lee (/ˈjulʲij/) | From Latin Julius, “youthful/downy” |
| Yulian | Юлиан | yoo-LEE-an (/juˈlʲan/) | From Latin Julianus, “of Julius” |
| Yuri | Юрий | YOO-ree (/ˈjurʲij/) | Russian form of George; “farmer/earthworker” |
| Yevlogiy | Евлогий | yev-LOH-giy (/jɪvˈlogʲij/) | From Greek Eulogios, “praiseworthy” |
| Yevgraf | Евграф | yev-GRAF (/jɪvˈɡraf/) | From Greek Evgraphios, “well-written” |
| Yermolay | Ермолай | yehr-mo-LAY (/jɪrmoˈlaj/) | From Greek Hermolaos, “praise of the people” |
Descriptions
Yakov
Biblical name long used in Russia; common historically, less so among the youngest. Diminutive Yasha; variants Yakub appear in old records.
Yakim
Old Russian form of Joachim found in church calendars and chronicles; rare today but attested in saints’ lists and registers.
Yan
Short, popular name across Russia and Eastern Europe; modern and straightforward, used by many generations.
Yaroslav
Historic princely name, common historically and revived in modern use; nicknames include Yarik and Slav.
Yaropolk
Medieval princely name, rare today but well documented in chronicles and regional history.
Yaromir
Old Slavic name seen in early sources; uncommon now but occasionally revived for historical flair.
Yarovit
Rooted in Slavic mythology and medieval sources; very rare, sometimes used in cultural revivals.
Yegor
Very common colloquial form of Georgiy, widely used today; diminutive Gosha; popular across generations.
Yevgeny
One of Russia’s most widespread modern names with many diminutives (Zhenya); common in all age groups.
Yefim
Traditional Orthodox name found in church calendars; moderately uncommon now but historically attested.
Yefrem
Biblical name used in Russia, present in religious and historical contexts; occasional modern use.
Yeremey
Ecclesiastical name in Orthodox calendars; uncommon today but appears in saints’ lists and older records.
Yerofey
Old Russian name attested among saints and in folklore; rare in modern naming but historically documented.
Yevdokim
Antique Christian name found in Orthodox lists and historical documents; now rare as a given name.
Yevstafiy
Church name attested in saints’ lists; archaic in modern use but documented historically.
Yevsey
Traditional Orthodox name, uncommon today; appears in older registers and regional records.
Yelisey
Biblical name used in Russia; moderate rarity today, attested in church and civil records.
Yason
Classical name from Greek myth, used in modern Russia though not widespread; recognized and attested.
Yuliy
Classic name present historically and today; formal and familiar variants exist, moderate modern use.
Yulian
Formal variant of Yuliy seen in literature and church registers; less common in everyday use.
Yuri
Extremely common modern name (e.g., Yuri Gagarin); many diminutives (Yura); widely used across generations.
Yevlogiy
Archaic church name appearing in hagiographies and older records; very rare in contemporary Russia.
Yevgraf
Old-fashioned Christian name, recorded in historical documents and Orthodox lists; uncommon today.
Yermolay
Historic name borne by saints and folk figures; rare in modern use but attested in chronicles and church books.